Pennsylvania Representative Paul Clymer expects to introduce a bill on June 14, which would retain the existing number of signatures needed for minor party and independent candidates, but cap the statewide total at 45,000. The aim is to have the bill pass and take effect immediately. This would have no effect in most election years, but this year would be an improvement, since the current requirement this year is unusually high (66,827).

The state’s briefs are due on June 15 in the pending ballot access case in the 3rd circuit, Rogers v Cortes.

On May 16, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled unanimously that David Cobb and Michael Badnarik were wrongfully denied a recount of the November 2004 New Mexico presidential vote. David Cobb, the Green Party nominee for president, and Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian Party nominee for president, and their supporters, had complied with New Mexico law by submitting $114,000 for a recount. However, the Board of Canvassers had refused to do the recount, arguing that it would really cost ten times as much money.

Nevertheless, the statute had said that only a 10% deposit was required. The New Mexico Supreme Court said the recount should have been granted. The New Mexico Supreme Court also declared unconstitutional a law passed in 2005, making it more difficult for candidates to obtain a recount. However, the court refused to actually order a recount, saying that President Bush would have been elected even if he had not carried New Mexico.

The case is Cobb v State Canvassing Board, 29095.

The Working Families Party of Massachusetts will run a candidate for State Auditor, with the expectation of polling at least 3% of the vote and thereby qualifying as a “political party” under Massachusetts law. The identity of the candidate will be announced on June 14.